E39 M5 coilovers onto non M5 car

[stinkinrich]

So it turns out they are different.


IMG_0474 by Rich Weller1, on Flickr

Strut diameter is considerably smaller than the hub. Now im thinking maybe they're E46 struts? But the rear set up is correct for my car.
Anyway I can overcome this issue by getting some aluminium collars made to slot into the hub and make up the difference.

[stinkinrich]

Went down to my local parts store to get strut mounts. I asked him to get an M5 one so I could compare and the only difference was it was made of steel unlike aluminium for the normal e39 ones. Also the three location studs were in different positions too. The centre hole for the strut to come through are both the same which is the main thing.

[Exami]

You could check the parts at dealer? if they look the same i bet V8 topmount will be more durable?

[stinkinrich]

Thanks again for the input guys. So just to clarify, I just need to fit I6 top mounts onto these struts and i'll be set?

[PavelK313]

You sure? I feel like the hole that the shaft goes into (giggity) is smaller on some.

V8 and I6 cars use different height top mounts. Other then that they are the same.

[Jesus Christ]

Our e39 coils are all the same in regards to dimensions and mounting points

[Byron]

You sure? I feel like the hole that the shaft goes into (giggity) is smaller on some.

[PavelK313]

The subframes matter because the 6 cyl cars had different control arm locations compared to the V8 cars. On the 6 cyl cars, one of the control arms mounts into the knuckle from the top, not from underneath like the V8's. That reduces the amount of room the strut has to slide down.

However, all struts should mount in any car, you just need to keep the top mount paired with the strut. Ex: if you got the M5 struts, you would need the M5 strut mounts to put them in the car.

Strut mounts are all the same between the models. M5 mounts will work just fine on 525.

[stinkinrich]

I see, thanks Byron. When you say strut mounts, you're talking about top mounts?

Looks like a goer then.

[Byron]

The subframes matter because the 6 cyl cars had different control arm locations compared to the V8 cars. On the 6 cyl cars, one of the control arms mounts into the knuckle from the top, not from underneath like the V8's. That reduces the amount of room the strut has to slide down.

However, all struts should mount in any car, you just need to keep the top mount paired with the strut. Ex: if you got the M5 struts, you would need the M5 strut mounts to put them in the car.

[Exami]

Thanks for that, appreciate it. I'll just get them and risk it, if they dont fit then i'll sell them on and get money back.

Just read elsewhere, the m5/540i/535i are interchangeable. But not onto others because the non-v8 cars use different subframes?

Why would the subframe have any relation to the hubs and/or top mount fitment?

Well i used 540i's coilovers on my 530d.. and work out fine... so i don't think you have any issues with those coilovers..

They sell 6-cyl version of coilovers normally for E39 530d(because its 6-cyl) but the engine weights more than the V8, so V8 coilovers works better..

[stinkinrich]

Thanks for that, appreciate it. I'll just get them and risk it, if they dont fit then i'll sell them on and get money back.

Just read elsewhere, the m5/540i/535i are interchangeable. But not onto others because the non-v8 cars use different subframes?

Why would the subframe have any relation to the hubs and/or top mount fitment?

[Exami]

Just found out that there is no M-Sport II suspension in US, but well in Europe there is.. and that suspension uses same stuff that M5 Does..

Struts in 540i (M-Sport II Suspension) Part No: 31 31 2 229 612
Struts in M5 Part No: 31 31 2 229 612

Guide support in 540i Part No: 31 33 1 091 708
Guide support in M5 Part No: 31 33 1 091 708

Same stuff on rear aswell:
Struts in 540i (M-Sport II Suspension) Part No: 33 52 2 229 126
Struts in M5 Part No: 33 52 2 229 126

Guide support in 540i Part No: 33 52 2 229 854
Guide support in M5 Part No: 33 52 2 229 854

So on my opinion they should fit, but they have different spring rates.. as do V8 models vs 6cyl models..

Other than that.. M5 got different wheel bearing and such..(because bigger brakes?)

BMW E39 Parts catalog

[stinkinrich]

If someone could give me a confident answer then that would be great, thanks.

[stinkinrich]

Just looked, they're saying excl. M5.